MASA to stop offering healthcare coverage to thousands of members

(Source: MGN Online)

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -

According to the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, or MASA, about 5,000 members and their families will lose their healthcare coverage as a direct result of the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare.

"This is a situation where the Affordable Care Act said this plan is not going to work," said Niko Corley, who handles government relations for MASA.

Corley said MASA was informed that since the association negotiated the policy for members but doesn't technically employ them, the plan is non-compliant under the Affordable Care Act.

"People don't think of doctors getting sick and needing health insurance, but they need it just like the rest of us," Corley added.

Deborah Brown is one of the thousands of medical professionals who count on MASA for their health insurance. She works in a medical office in Tuscaloosa.

"As I understand, MASA and Blue Cross were trying to work together to be able to come up with a solution and they didn't," Brown said.

Brown and other MASA members' health insurance that's provided through the association will expire in November. She says she will have to look elsewhere to get coverage, including searching for plans on the federally run healthcare marketplace.

"It's very expensive," Brown said.

She said her current premium is around $400 per month but on the federal exchange, Brown said she saw plans that could cost upwards of $1,000 per month.

Officials at the Medical Association haven't ruled out attempting to offer some other form of sponsored coverage. For now the group is focusing on lobbying efforts in Washington to make changes to the Affordable Care Act.